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Jeff Gordon won four Cup Series championships with Hendrick Motorsports. He fully expects Kyle Larson to pass him, and he’s rooting for it.
Asked by PRN Live whether Larson, now a three-time champion, could eventually top his four titles, Gordon didn’t hesitate.
“Well, I’m pretty confident it’s going to happen. You know, they not only have a great driver, but they’ve got a great team. You know, Cliff Daniels is an amazing leader and crew chief,” Gordon said.
https://x.com/PRNlive/status/2120553716436566319
‘You Know What’s Coming Down the Road’
Larson and crew chief Cliff Daniels won 10 races and the championship in their first season together in 2021. They added titles in 2025 and 2026, the last one after a winless regular season and three Chase wins at World Wide Technology Raceway, Kansas and Talladega.
“So when you look at how strong that group is, and when you can keep a group like that together, you know what’s coming down the road, which means more success,” Gordon said.
Hendrick has locked that group in. Larson and sponsor HendrickCars.com signed five-year extensions through 2031 in February, and Daniels signed a multiyear deal to stay as crew chief.
‘I Welcome It and I Applaud It’
Gordon, now Hendrick’s vice chairman, said he has no interest in protecting his place in the record books.
“So I’m fully expecting that, and I welcome it and I applaud it. I love seeing all of our teams go out there and win races and championships and break any records of mine or others that are out there.”
Gordon won his titles in 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001. Jimmie Johnson followed with seven for Hendrick, including five straight from 2006 to 2010. Larson’s latest title was the 16th Cup championship for the organization.
“It’s awesome to be in a position to be able to see them and enjoy our folks enjoying success, and be rooting for them to bring more. I’m pretty sure Kyle and Cliff will have more to come,” Gordon said.
One Away From Gordon
At 34, Larson is one title away from matching Gordon. Team owner Rick Hendrick said after Homestead that a Johnson-style streak would be harder in the Next Gen car, but that Larson and Daniels have “a chemistry to do multiple wins.”
Denny Hamlin, meanwhile, called Larson “this generation’s Jimmie.”
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